Habitat and weather conditions effects on long-term breeding population dynamics of five species of herons (Ardeidae) and Glossy ibis (Threskiornithidae) in the Valencian Community, SpainValencian wetlands include 65 % of the region's priority habitats and most are protected areas. Waterfowl populations are used as indicators of the state of these environments. We calculated the linear population trend by species, per wetland, of five Ardeidae and Plegadis falcinellus (Threskiornitidae) species using data from the annual census between 1984-2015 for 11 selected wetlands. We constructed a matrix with 42 habitat and meteorological variables, and evaluated the relation between these variables and population trends by a Correspondence Analysis. We found an increasing trend for most species. The populations of the L'Albufera de Vàlencia Natural Park (NP) differed significantly from the rest. Ardea cinerea, E. garzetta, B. ibis and A. ralloides would be associated with large areas, and also with swamps and rice fields, while A. purpurea and P. falcinellus would be related to environments characterised by rainfall and the level of protection in the area. Rice fields and water management have been important for establishing breeding colonies.
Wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems on the planet, largely due to their conversion to agricultural or dry land. L'Albufera de Vàlencia is characterized by a large expanse of rice fields (c. 14,000 ha), which hosts the most important colony of Grey Heron Ardea cinerea on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. The colony was visited every 10 days during February-April of 2016 to 2018 and during May-July of 2015 to 2017. The reproductive parameters were estimated for each year and season. We also monitored the available habitat and habitat use of the species in the rice fields from February 2016 to June 2017. The condition of the rice field was related to reproductive parameters. The breeding period was divided into two stages per year. In 2016 all reproductive parameters were lower values, coinciding with a larger area of dry fields in winter and low rainfall in summer. Breeding success was found to be positively associated with the muddy/semi-flooded fields and negatively associated with the sown fields. Like Grey Heron, other waterbirds species nesting in L'Albufera de Valencia could depend on the condition of the rice fields for breeding success. Their reproductive requirements should be considered in rice cultivation management.
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